# NTSB FTW92LA033: Boeing 737-200, N73SW, Lubbock, TX, December 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1991, 18:55 local (Dec 1, 1991, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Lubbock, TX
- Location: 33.6565° N, 101.9420° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from LUBBOCK PRESTON SMITH INTL (LBB), within about 2 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6565&lon=-101.9420&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 107 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA033

## Probable cause

THE IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH GEESE. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS ESTABLISHED ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING AT 190 KNOTS AND APPROXIMATELY 4700 FEET MSL ON A DARK NIGHT, WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED A FLOCK OF CANADIAN GEESE. ONE GOOSE PENETRATED THE PRESSURE BULKHEAD THROUGH THE RADOME. ANOTHER SPLATTERED DEBRIS OVER THE CAPTAIN'S WINDSHIELD, AND OTHERS DAMAGED FAIRINGS, WING ROOTS, AND KRUEGER FLAPS. THE FLIGHT CREW DID NOT SEE THE GEESE BEFORE IMPACT. THE FIRST OFFICER TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS FROM THE CAPTAIN AND LANDED THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73SW-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 22673, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-200
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-2H4](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-2h4) (registry code 138448C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 32985
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9(A) 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Southwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Southwest Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 29, 1991, 7 hours before
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LBB, Lubbock, runway 8, 8,001 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,130 total, 16,415 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBB, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19911130063249I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911130063249I), Nov 30, 1991: Boeing 7372H4, Lubbock, TX, Minor damage. Aircraft hit a flock of geese on approach. Landed safely. Ferried to dallas for repairs.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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